Do you have a topic that is an immediate deal breaker if a manga series you were already reading suddenly featured that topic, such that you would stop reading the series (even if it was "tastefully" done)? For example: religion, rape, etc.

Kazusa, a young high-school girl, is killed instantly when a car crashes into her as she was crossing the street. As a ghost, she watches her friends' reactions to her death—keeping a close eye on Miharu, the boy she was in love with before she died. However, she discovers that he was in love with another girl Okabe Ranko... but can Okabe see Kazusa's ghost when no one else can?

Although its only two volumes, I'd say it did a great job in creating a new world for the reader to imagine. I liked the concept, and it is quite heartwarming. I wouldn't say it was a well crafted masterpiece, but it is a high quality short story.

the story progress swiftly with a lot of subtle humour that make you smile. however the last two chapters will make your eyes gush, so keep your tissues ready! this manga is great for anyone who want some feels in their manga, but nothing too overpowering, with like able characters and imaginative story line. just the right amount of chapters to make you identify with the characters, but short enough to keep you interested, try this light hearted but meaningful manga about death.

Since I kept seeing this series recommended, I decided to start reading it. And... it doesn't fail to please me. It's good.

Majime na Jikan's story is a drama, but it is sort of a weak one compared to other good manga's of the same kind. That doesn't mean it's not good though; it's still touching, just lacking strong scenes. It is well told and has done a great job conveying its points. Can't say it's totally original, but it is certainly not just like others.

The characters... are not that real; there are quite a number of stories with more real characters. However, Seike Yukiko hasn't done a bad job about that.

The end is also weak and not as beautiful as it could be. Anyway, I like the concept of where one goes after being wandering ghosts; that's just...clever.

The art is great, especially the cover (I wonder why she can't do the same level of art with the cover of Byousoku 5 Centimeters). The camera angles are OK.

To sum up, Majime na Jikan is a good drama read, though not tagged with that. Recommended as a decent short story.

I'm not one for seinen, just because manga directed towards males tends to be immature and boring, all fights and sex and blood. Yet, I decided to give this one a try. And~I was pleasantly surprised! It was worth it.

Spoiler (mouse over to view)

I actually enjoyed that it didn't follow the shoujou formula and that there was no magical fix. She stayed dead and her love was never known. I was actually happy that it focused more on her mother than the love interest. ( I also really enjoyed the fact that Ranko and the love interest didn't become a couple. Yay for Kazusa! lol)

Perfect ending, plot tied up nicely which is a rare thing for tragedy manga and even rarer for this tradegy genre. There is no character developement aside from the main lead (understandable since it s only 2 volumes), but I think its fine. This story will leave you with saddess, but kind of relief saddness, when you know things are all good afterwards. Not so unique art but the characters are certainly well drawn. In short, a very good read which shouldnt take much of your time.

I just want to say that the cover for this is beautiful. It totally encapsulates the story you're about to read. The image of Kazusa floating amidst the red sunset is just so darn warming and yet it leaves you feeling a bit sad. There's something with the way the story is told that just gets you right in the gut. It's truly beautiful - I can't quite put the feeling into words. You just have to read it to feel it, and to understand it. But you'll be left with something good.

OK, only 9 chapters (which means that if I hadn't started it before the scanlation ended, I'd probably never have started it - because I like long read), but one of the few mangas ever to end nearly perfectly for me.

Majime na Jikan is not like any other story out there; it is very special in its plot and that's one of the strong points of this manga. Unlike the others, this one right off the bat is not cliche and filled with all those uncreative ideas that had been exploited over and over again. No, this manga presents a different way to portray the afterlife, which if you read will be pleasantly surprised The characters are developed very well despite the fact that it is only 2 volumes and that is pretty short. Everyone has a unique personality and it is those personality that drives the plot to its climax and conclusion. The art is also really good; it reads like an anime, which in my opinion is pretty cool. I dont wanna rant for too long so here is a shortlist of pros and cons:Pros: Unique plot, solid storyGood developed charactersAmazing art, better than mostCons:Ending, eh, it's alrighttoo short Jesus christ! need to be longer =_=

At first glance I thought this was gonna be one of those cliche dead-ghost stories... there are more of those out there than you'd think. Plus the art isn't very unique (I like to pay attention to the art)... but I kept reading and before I realized I was drawn in. You know why? 'cause the main character is amazingly real. I think the author captured a girl of that age very well - Kazusa's immaturity, her frustration, her confusion and her loneliness, they're all emotions I'd expect a girl in her situation to feel. The most recent chapter had me tearing up. The pace is slow but I am fine with it. I like how patiently the story builds up. Has a lot of potential, I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes the slice-of-life genre (also it's funny, and surprisingly fits the atmosphere).

edit: finished it. Some things were wrapped up so nicely (the love interest, Kazusa's mom). This quote made me cry "Whether I die, or someone else, it might be a relief, or a tragedy, but it doesn't really matter... everyone must go at some point and in the end they must disappear." The only thing is the VERY last pages of the last chapter ended a bit abruptly. But it's still a solid, beautiful ending.